1. No category

Braille
Resource
Packet
For Families
Of Young
Children
Compiled by
L. Penny Rosenblum, Ph.D.
[email protected]
520-621-1223
March 2013
Table of Contents
Page
Braille for My Baby: Six Things You Can Do at Home for Your Young
Blind Child ................................................................................ 3
Sample Menu of Weekly Family Literacy Events ............................... 7
Print-Braille Books for Young Children ............................................ 11
Creating and Using Tactile Experience Books for Young Children with
Visual Impairments ................................................................. 15
Ideas to Promote Braille Awareness and Literacy ........................... 22
Beginning Braille Competencies ...................................................... 23
Interventions to Facilitate Emergent Literacy ................................... 25
Braille Alphabet ............................................................................... 30
Dots for Families .............................................................................. 32
Resource List for Early Braille Literacy Materials ............................ 33
Braille for My Baby:
Six Things You Can Do at Home for Your
Young Blind Child
by Graciela Tiscareño-Sato
I remember the scene like it was just this morning: my six-month-old daughter sitting in my lap,
“reading” Touch and Feel Wild Animal Babies. It was our first board book and my first time
reading to my first-born child. I hadn’t yet heard of
books for infants with Braille in them so it was just a
regular touch-and-feel type book I had picked up in the
bookstore the day before.
We got to the smooth dolphin skin and she started
moving about excitedly, as if she had made a great
discovery. She moved her face to the book to smell the
surface she was touching. I just sat there and let her
explore the book however she wanted. When I turned the
page to the bumpy lizard skin, I thought she was going to
fall off the chair with excitement.
It was at that moment that I committed myself to reading to
her every night, even though she was blind. It seems so silly
to me now that I had that thought back then--what did I
mean, “even though she was blind?” What was I thinking?
But that’s how it was. I’m not sure I had gained my
perspective yet after enduring nearly five months in the
NICU, five surgeries, and having her home just a few
months after her severely premature birth (and eighteenounce birth weight).
Three months later at my request, my Blind Babies
Foundation counselor arranged a lunch for me with a
woman who had a blind daughter attending Stanford
University, just across the Bay from my home. We met at a
café in Berkeley so I could ask my ton of questions to a mom who had already raised a blind
daughter. I remember Meb walking in with an armful of books, catalogs, and magazines-everything I needed to start bringing books in Braille into my home. It was that day that I signed
up with Seedlings Braille Books for Children and ordered my daughter’s first dozen Braille
board books (including her favorite Touch and Feel Wild Animal Babies). We were off. We had
(thankfully) entered the world of early Braille skills development for my infant, an effort that has
paid dividends as she begins to establish more advanced literacy skills at the age of seven.
“She has excellent tracking skills,” I hear at IEP
meetings.
“We usually have to work really hard to get little
ones to track well but she just does it so naturally,”
is another favorite comment I love to hear.
How did we get here? How did we get baby Milagro
ready to learn Braille, to track lines of Braille well,
and to enjoy writing Braille and reading her own
stories?
Here are the things we did at home long before she
started formal Braille lessons at the age of three:
Acquired a dozen touch-and-feel and scratch-and-sniff books. Very early on, we committed
to the joy of reading with our young child, a joy we didn’t want to miss out on just because she
didn’t see the pictures. She very much learned and appreciated the concepts associated with
books, page turning, and just enjoying the reading experience. Some of our favorites are
published by DK (Dorling Kindersley). They’re available in major book stores and through
<www.dk.com>.
Learned the Braille code ourselves. We got some little wooden tiles of the Braille alphabet
from a lovely man in Florida. We used them to quiz each other on the code, like a weird form of
Scrabble for mom and dad. We attended a one-day Braille workshop for families at the
California School for the Blind. We signed up for the free online courses through the Hadley
School for the Blind, see <www.hadley-school.org/>. We got the Just Enough to Know Better: a
Braille Primer book from The National Braille Press. It contains a large pull-out Braille sheet of
the Braille alphabet and Braille contractions. We taped it to the back of the bathroom door.
Seeing the Braille code five-minutes at a time is a great
way to start. Having an entire book dedicated to teaching
Braille to families is a must-have resource. It’s available
at <www.nbp.org> or by calling toll-free (800) 548-7323.
We got a Perkins Brailler so we could produce little
labels to put around the house when she learned to
walk. Our teacher of the visually impaired (TVI) at the
local preschool, Sue Douglass, provided this to us and
showed us how to load paper, un-jam the machine, etc.
Labels we created first were: light, table, high chair,
bathtub, door, diaper changing table, drum, doll (taped on
forehead), sink, rocking horse, potty, crib, and window.
We simply Brailled them on card stock paper, cut them
out, and taped them to the corresponding objects around
the house. Some of those labels are still there. I remember
Sue telling me, “It’s important that she not only touch the Braille around the house, but that she
begins to associate the bumps with meaning.” As she went to the sink to wash her hands, we took
a moment to show her the Braille label, run her fingers over the word, and say, “sink.”
Eventually, she started echoing the word back to us. After that she would approach the tag
herself to ‘read’ it. This was a very important thing that we did for her and I highly recommend
it. Another way to accomplish the same thing is to ask a TVI [or a Braille-proficient blind adult
from the Federation] to create the labels for you. They can usually do this on special adhesive
labels that stay up longer than our paper versions.
One tip: get Dr. Penny Rosenblum’s color-coded sheet and use it to code the keys on the Brailler.
It makes writing so much faster for us sighted parents. Additionally, it’s a terrific way for
siblings and friends to be able to easily type their names, notes for the blind child, and so forth.
We’ve used this since 2007 and wish we’d had it earlier. It’s available by e-mailing Dr.
Rosenblum at <[email protected]> and asking for her “Beginning Braille Competencies”
handout (from the CTEVH conference) containing the Braille Alphabet sheet for color coding.
If you can’t get a Perkins Brailler, there is always the trusty low-tech slate and stylus. It fits
easily in your purse and lets you make quick shopping lists with your toddler. This way, she can
enjoy shopping with you and touch Braille with a purpose. (This gets even more fun when kids
get older and can read the shopping list to you.) We got ours at the NFB store when we visited
NFB headquarters in Baltimore. You can buy them online at the NFB Independence Market at
<www.nfb.org/nfb/Independence_Market.asp>. If you want to start writing with the slate and
stylus immediately, get the one-page reference sheet designed specifically for this purpose. It’s
inside The Braille Trail: An Activity Book by Anna Swenson and Frances Mary D’Andrea at
AFB Press: <www.afb.org/store/product.asp>. I still keep copies of this reference sheet with my
slate and stylus in my purse because it’s so portable.
We got the Braille Book Bag from National Braille Press that contains Braille magnet letters,
books, a booklet, and many other items. Our Blind Babies Foundation counselor arranged this
for us and it’s been a great Braille toy set and resource for our family. Of course siblings and
visiting children also inquire about the Braille on the magnetic letters so it’s quite the
conversation piece. See <www.nbp.org/ic/nbp/readbooks/index.html> for more information.
We introduced our child to Perkins Panda and his books and music. Our Blind Babies
Foundation counselor brought the complete Perkins Panda collection produced by the Perkins
School for the Blind into our home when Milagro was about eighteen-months old. It included
books, tapes (narration and music), and a large stuffed toy bear named Perkins Panda. It was a
great way to reinforce body parts with a stuffed toy bear that has many different textures on his
body, that are all matched within the Perkins book called Belly Button. Today at the age of seven,
she can read many of the words in these books herself. She says “I love you Perkins Panda” and
sleeps with him. See <www.perkins.org> for details.
Started bringing Braille board books into our home. Seedlings Braille Books for Children
and the Braille Institute in Los Angeles have been our primary resources. Both give away Braille
books for free on a regular basis in addition to maintaining catalogs from which we order.
Seedlings has their Anna’s Angels program: <www.seedlings.org>; Braille Institute has their
Dots for Tots program, see <www.brailleinstitute.org> or call toll-free (800) 272-4553 for
details. There are others as well. Most of the Dorling Kindersley Touch-and-feel books
mentioned earlier are available with Braille labels from Seedlings too. The important thing to us
is that we committed to reading with our child every night. We have three children now and
made the same commitment to each of them.
All of this effort paid off for us on the last day of kindergarten as the class showed off their
newly acquired reading skills. On that day, in her general education classroom, Milagro stood up
and read “The Bumblebee,” a favorite poem, in front of her entire class of peers and their
parents. The cheers from the audience when she finished and the smile on her face are priceless
memories for me. Not only was it fun to watch, but it was validation that all those early actions
we took at home were indeed valuable to get her started down the path of literacy.
Graciela Tiscareño-Sato, MIM, is a mother of three, a global technology marketing professional,
a published writer and speaker, a military veteran, and an advocate for her daughter Milagro.
Together with her husband, she created the DVD called Letting Your Child’s Wild Side Out:
Raising the Wild and Confident Blind Baby, Toddler and Preschooler. She lives with her family
in the San Francisco Bay Area and can be reached through the Web at
<www.babymilagro.org/dvd>.
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Sample Menu of Weekly Family Literacy Events
Each week try to do at least three activities from List A, two from List
B. and one from List C. You may choose to do the same activity more than one
time, or you may do one activity several times. The individual differences of
families might be addressed by providing choices or a menu of activities to
promote literacy opportunities and promote home-school partnerships.
List A - Casual Holistic Activities
1. Read to your child for 10 minutes. When appropriate, use factual or braille
books which are fun for you and your child (See list contained in this
handout).
2. Let your child observe you reading something, either for fun (such as a
magazine or a book) or to get a job done (reading a recipe or the TV Guide).
3. Give your child paper and something to write with (Slate and stylus and/or
braille). Encourage your child to scribble by placing a piece of braille paper
on the carpet and make braille dots by poking holes in the paper using a golf
tee.
4. Encourage your child to read a book or magazine, pretend-read, or look at
the pictures in a book or magazine for five minutes.
5. Talk with your child about something you have read together.
6. Let your child listen to books on tapes or records.
List B- Interactive Activities Dealing With Literacy Skills or Strategies
1. Encourage your child to point to or examine words or letters (on signs or
labels In your home in Braille) that she or he knows. Talk to your child
about words or letters (Braille/Print).
2. Encourage your child to tell you a story, either one that is already
familiar or one that the child has made up. Let your child help you make a
shopping list.
3. Play sound games with your child, such as "I am thinking of something in
this room that rhymes with fat or that begins like Dan."
4. Play word games with your child, such as "Let's see how many animals (or
colors or vegetables) we can name."
List C- Extended Activities Requiring a Substantial Time Investment
1. Take your child to the library to check out books or purchase books from
book store. Print books can be easily adapted in braille by having someone
braille on clear contact paper and then adhering each sheet to the print
pages.
2. Help your child write a letter to a friend or relative.
3. Have your child tell you a short story while you write it down in print or
braille; then your child can draw a picture to go with the story.
4. Take your child to the zoo, a museum, a farm, the airport, or someplace
that she or he has never been before; talk about what you experience.
Predictable Books
Predictable books are books in which parts of text are repeated often, such as
in "The Little Red Hen". When the Little Red Hen says "Who will help me, ..."
a child soon will anticipate when that line will occur and be ready to join in
with the reader on that part. There are many, many predictable books available
in libraries. These are only some suggested ones.
Arno, E. (1967). The gingerbread man. New York: Scholastic.
Asbjorsin, P. (1973). The three billy coats gruff. New York: HoughtonMifflin.
Blegvad,
Atheneum.
E.
(illust.).
(1980).
The
three
little
nips.
New
York:
Brett, J. (1987). Goldilocks and the three bears. New York: Dodd.
Brown, M. W. (1956). Press. Home for bunny. Racine, WI: Golden Press.
Butler, D. (1988). MY brown bear Barne . Greenwillow.
Carle, E. (1984). The very busy solder. Publisher.
New York: Putnam
Charlip, R. (1964). Fortunately. New York: Parents Magazine Press.
Charlip, R. (1969). What wood luck! What bad luck! New York:
Scholastic.
Domanska, J. (1969). The turnip. New York: MacMillan.
Eastman, P. D. (1960). Are you my mother? New York: Random House.
Galdone, P. (1975). The gingerbread boy . New York: Clarion.
Galdone, P. (1973). The little red hen. New York: Scholastic.
Guarino, D. (1989). Is your momma a llama? New York:
Scholastic.
Guy, G. F. (1991). Black crow, black crow. New York: Greenwillow.
Keats, E. J. (1971). Over in_ the meadow. New York:
Scholastic.
Martin, B. (1970). Brown bear, brown bear. New York: Holt, Rinehart and
Winston.
Nichol, P. (1983). Once a lullaby. New York: Greenwillow.
Stevenson, J. (1977). Could be worse! New York: Greenwillow.
Thomas, P. (1971). "Stand back" said the elephant, "I'm coins to
sneeze." New York: Lothrop, Lee & Shepard.
Wickstrom, S. A. (Illustrator). (1988). The wheels on she bus. New York:
Crown Publisher.
Stories for Young Children to Use Objects
Brown, M. W. (1942). The indoor noisy book. New York: Harper & Row.
Household sounds are very appropriate for toddlers and preschool
children.
Numeroff, L. J. (1985). If you give a mouse a cookie. New York: Harper
& Row.
Most of the concepts are appropriate for children who cannot see
pictures although a few are not. Suggested ages 3-7.
Ormerod, J. (1989). The saucepan game. New York: Lothrop, Lee and
Shepard.
A story game using a pan to present concepts such as on, in, handle,
lid, etc. Suggested ages 1-3.
Roffey, M. (1988). Bathtime. New York: Four Winds Press.
A simple story sequence about bath and bed routine. Many items are
mentioned in the story, but the number used should be adjusted to the
attention and concept level of the child. For very young children.
Ziefert, H. (1988). Goodnight everyone! Boston, MA: Little Brown and
Company.
A story about bedtime troubles of stuffed animals. Suggested ages 2-5.
A List of a Few Tactile Books
The touch me book. Pat and Eva Witte. In bookstores or from Seedlings
(for very young children).
Pat the bunny. By Kunhardt.
Pat the cat. By Kunhardt.
Catching. By Virginia Allen-Jensen. (1983). Philomen.
What's that? By Virginia Allen-Jensen. (1977). Philomen.
Best for a nest. Lois Harrell. (1976). From APH. Probably for an older
preschooler who has had some experience using tactile illustrations.
A List of Print-Braille Books
Prelutsky, J. (1986). Ride a Purple pelican. New York: Greenwillow.
Martin, B., Archanbault, J. (1988). Listen to the rain. New York: Henry
Halt and Co.
Martin, B., Archanbault, J. (1989). Chicka chicka boom boom. New York:
Simon and Schuster. Good for close to school age. A lot about letter names.
Preston, E. M. (1974). Squawk to the moon, little goose. New York:
Viking Penguin. Concepts, probably upper preschool level.
Walt Disney's Cinderella. New York: Random House.
Yolen, J. (1987). Owl noon. New York: Philomel Books. Upper preschool
or older but a beautiful story, really for any age.
Additional Resources
National Braille Press, 88 St. Stephen St., Boston, MA 02115 (This program
offers a "Book of the Month" format. Books cost the same as the print
edition and are available in braille and print.)
Seedlings, 8447 Marygrove Dr., Detroit, MI 48221 (Catalog available of
print/braille books)
On the Way to Literacy Early Experiences for Visually Impaired Children
(Includes factual braille print books.)
American Printing House for the Blind, 1839 Frankfort Ave., P.O. Box
6085,Louisville, KY 40206-0085
Beginning brie instruction for parents - self study approach: Just Enough to
Know Better: A braille primer By Eileen P. Curran, M.Ed.
National Braille Press Inc., 88 St. Stephen Street, Boston, MA 02115
Braille Literacy (Pamphlet) American Foundation for the Blind
Print and Braille Literacy (Pamphlet) American Printing House
Creating and Using
Tactile Experience
Books for Young
Children With Visual
Impairments
Sandra Lewis
TEACHING Exceptional Children, Vol. 35, No. 3, pp. 22-28. Copyright 2003 CEC.
Joan Tolla
What do very young children learn
about reading? According to many studies on developmental learning (see box,
“What Does the Literature Say?”),
young children develop an appreciation
that “reading” activities in which they
engage are related to the words they
speak and hear, and are further connected to the written symbols of our
language. They observe others reading
and writing within functional contexts
and meaningful activities. Further, they
develop important basic concepts about
reading materials (see box, “Book
Concepts”).
But what about children whose
vision is limited, or children who are
blind? How do they participate in early
reading activities? This article explores
ways that educators, parents, and caregivers can ensure that all young children have a chance to learn to read.
significant visual impairments. Visual
impairment can directly interfere with
the observation of symbols and events
that are key to the development of early
literacy skills. Many educators and
researchers have discussed ways to purposefully introduce these young children to Braille and print and to inform
them of reading and writing activities of
others (Harley et al., 1997; Swenson,
1999; Wormsley, 1997).
An even more significant issue related to emergent literacy for young children with visual impairments is the
development of meaningful concepts
through essential life experiences
Literacy Needs of Children With
Visual Impairments
Obtaining access to the written symbols
of language and observing adults and
peers modeling reading and writing are
not easily achieved for children with
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A teacher helps a student “read” her tactile experience book.
What Does the Literature Say
About Learning to Read?
Developmental Reading Process.
Learning to read is a developmental
process that begins at birth (Lamb,
1995; Rex, Koenig, Wormsley, &
Baker, 1994; Snow, Burns, & Griffin,
1998), one that can be positively
influenced by the involvement of
parents and other caretakers.
Recommendations for facilitating
the early literacy experiences of
young children include the following:
• Providing a print-rich environment
(Clay, 1991; Handel, 1999; PurcellGates, 2000; Sawyer & Comer,
1996).
• Modeling
reading
behavior
(Handel, 1999; Purcell-Gates,
2000; Sawyer & Comer, 1996).
• Reading aloud to even the
youngest infants and toddlers
(Anderson, Hiebert, Scott, &
Wilkinson, 1985; Purcell-Gates,
2000; Sawyer & Comer, 1996).
In fact, being read to may be the
most important factor in preparing a
child to become a good reader
(Anderson et al., 1985).
Emergent Literacy. The phase of
reading development during which
infants and toddlers begin to
become familiar with written language and the process of learning to
read and write is known as emergent
literacy (Harley, Truan, & Sanford,
1997; Wormsley, 1997).
(Finello, Hanson, & Kekelis, 1992).
Because children with visual impairments are restricted in their frequent,
spontaneous, incidental access to the
things and events in their world, their
information about these items is limited, inconsistent, or fragmented (Ferrell,
1997).
In addition, a key learning characteristic of children with visual impairments
is learning from part to whole. Because
their perception is limited to what can
be felt by the hand or seen within a limited visual field, children with visual
impairments often have difficulty
understanding the “gestalt” of an experience (Ferrell, 2000). A sighted child
In emergent literacy activities,
children develop an appreciation
that the activities in which they
engage are related to the words
they speak and hear, and they are
further connected to the written
symbols of our language.
can frequently observe from a distance
all of the objects that are stored in the
desk drawer, are pulled out of the cabinet to wash the car, or are associated
with a bath; but the child with visual
impairment may not have had the same
experiences or understanding. As a
result, many children with visual
impairments do not bring to the emergent literacy process the same kind and
quality of information that young children with good vision do. Children with
visual impairments may not understand
what others read to them and what they
are expected to read themselves (Koenig
& Farrenkopf, 1997).
Illustrations in Books for Young
Readers
Children with typical vision have an
added advantage in the process of learning to read over young children who are
blind or who have significant visual
impairment. Sighted children can learn
about things even if they have had no
direct contact with them—animals,
events, people, and objects—except
through the illustrations in their books.
The thousands of books published for
emergent readers almost always include
Because children with visual
impairments are restricted in
their frequent, spontaneous,
incidental access to the things
and events in their world, their
information about these items is
limited, inconsistent, or
fragmented.
Book Concepts
1. Books are generally made of
paper, but may also be made of
other materials such as cloth or
plastic.
2. Books contain pages to be turned
one at a time; pages are numbered.
3. Books may have pictures and
words written on the pages.
4. Pictures resemble familiar objects.
5. Pictures and books have a top
and bottom, front and back.
6. Books give information and
pleasure.
7. Language is constant on each
page.
8. Language can be remembered
and related to specific pages or
pictures.
9. Information presented in books
stimulates the child’s own related
ideas.
10. Printed symbols tell the reader
what to say.
11. Printed symbols are read from left
to right and from top to bottom.
Source: Adapted from Communication skills for visually impaired learners (2nd ed.), by R. K. Harley, M. B.
Truan, & L. D. Sanford, Springfield,
IL: Charles C Thomas, 1997.
illustrations or pictures. These illustrations not only introduce children to
information with which they may be
unfamiliar, but these pictures facilitate
understanding of the text. “Illustrations
play a major role in enriching the story
line, adding humor and intrigue, giving
instant clues to what the story is about
and enabling the reader to reconstruct
the story line (often without reference
to the text)” (Lamb, 1995, p. 7).
Illustrations also provide the bridge
between listening and early reading
behaviors (see box, “Early Reading
Behaviors”). Children only gradually
become aware of the text. At first, they
use the illustrations as prompts to recall
the meaning and words of the story.
Tactile Illustrations
For young children who are blind or
who have severe visual impairments,
TEACHING EXCEPTIONAL CHILDREN
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23
Early Reading Behaviors
• Child enjoys listening to story.
• Child talks about the pictures.
• Child completes familiar lines in
story based on memory.
• Child uses physical and visual cues
surrounding print to make up
story.
• Child pretends to “read” storybooks; may run finger along printed text.
• Child associates some letters with
their representative sounds.
• Child recognizes key words in
familiar stories.
the visual aspects of books written for
emergent readers present a significant
problem. The obvious solution to this
accessibility issue is the use of raised
line drawings in conjunction with
Braille text. Interpretation of raised line
drawings, however, is a far more difficult task than is recognition and identification of pictures. Raised line drawings attempt to present the 3-dimensional world in two dimensions.
Although we can visually see the relationship, a circle is really very unlike the
way a ball feels; the outline of a birthday cake bears no resemblance to its
tactile reality. Similarly, the outline of
the “Cat in the Hat” holding a fish cannot be easily related to the outline of the
Cat sitting in a chair. The details and
constancy that make even abstract illustrations so identifiable visually cannot
be reproduced in a tactile form.
Another solution that frequently has
been recommended is to create “story
boxes” (Newbold, 2000), or “book
bags” (Miller, 1985; Stratton & Wright,
1991; Wormsley, 1997). These items are
similar in that objects related to either a
published or unpublished story are used
as illustrative props to bring meaning to
the story. Miller, the mother of a child
who is blind, first described her creative
use of book bags, in which she stored
Being read to may be the most
important factor in preparing a
child to become a good reader.
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objects mentioned in commercially published books. Miller and her children
dramatized events in the stories they
read using these objects. Others have
recommended keeping the objects in a
bag or a box, to stimulate recognition
and discussion as they are handled and
explored by the young child with visual
impairment as the adult reads (Stratton
& Wright, 1991; Wormsley, 1997).
Newbold’s (2000) story boxes were
designed to address the problems young
children with visual impairments often
have in relating their experiences to the
act of reading. She recommended that
simple stories about a child’s experiences be written on note cards and
included in a box with mementos from
the event. The adult and child examine
the objects together as the adult reads
the story, which incorporates people
and events that are familiar to the child.
Neither book bags nor story boxes
address the need, for children who are
blind, to be exposed to books on which
the text and the objects or activities
described by that text are presented on
the same page. “Tactile experience
books” can meet this need. In tactile
experience books, artifacts from an
event experienced by the child are actually incorporated onto the pages of a
simple, sturdy book. Each page also
includes Braille and print text. Adults
using these books with young children
can encourage the association of words
that are read with Braille and the use of
appropriate hand movements during
story reading. Children can use these
books independently; they can turn to a
page, tactually explore the artifact
attached to the page, and pretend to
read the story aloud. Children with
more experiences with these types of
books can begin to recognize specific
words based on their length, position in
the text, or the letters with which they
start or end.
Making Tactile Experience
Books
Selecting topics for tactile experience
books is as easy as examining the
objects that are part of the environments in which students with visual
impairments spend time. Events can be
planned specifically to collect artifacts
“Illustrations play a major role in
enriching the story line, adding
humor and intrigue, giving
instant clues to what the story is
about and enabling the reader to
reconstruct the story line.”
for a book, or artifacts can be collected
as part of a naturally occurring event,
such as a trip to a baseball game or an
investigation of the school grounds.
Ideally, the child participates in these
collection activities, collecting and putting aside the objects to be used later in
the book.
Regardless of the child’s involvement
in his or her collection, artifacts must be
items with which the child has come in
contact tactually. Using car keys to represent going for a ride will not be
appropriate unless the child has in some
way used the keys, perhaps to unlock
the car door. Using objects that the adult
associates with an event, but which are
unfamiliar to the child, is a common
mistake of inexperienced bookmakers.
In addition, artifacts used in the book
must be real—not miniature representations of an object. Miniatures do not
provide the same detail for the tactual
learner that they provide to the visual
learner. Thinking again of representing
a ride in a car, a toy car would not be an
appropriate artifact, unless perhaps, the
child played with the toy car during the
ride. In general, a toy car is very different from the car experience of a child
who is blind or who has low vision. A
better representative object might be a
swatch of fabric from the child’s car seat
or the seat belt buckle that the child has
helped to fasten.
Preferred books are those that are
easily handled by the child. Heavy cardboard should be used for the cover and
pages, which should be securely fastened. We have found that metal rings
are more durable than ribbon or string
used to bind the pages. It is best for only
one object (or category of object) to be
placed on the page. Because an object
that has been glued to the page creates
a different experience than the same
Some teachers and parents create
“story boxes” and “book bags”
filled with tactual objects related
to a story.
object held in the hand, we recommend
that artifacts be affixed to the pages
using loop fasteners (Velcro©) whenever
possible, so that the child can experience them in three dimensions. Another
way to assure that objects can be fully
accessed by the child is to store them in
Zip-lock bags that have been glued or
stapled to the page. Large objects,
which can add bulk to the book and
make it unmanageable by small hands,
can be attached by a string to a particular page and stored outside of the pages,
to be pulled nearer by the child when
that page is read.
Another method of incorporating a
large object, such as the big bow from a
birthday present, is to place the item on
the cover. The child can use this artifact
to identify the book and distinguish it
from others in his or her collection.
Covers don’t need to be fancy. Although
it is visually meaningful to have a book
about Jim’s trip on the city bus cut out
in the shape of a bus, this shape doesn’t
provide the same stimulus for the student with visual impairment. Keeping
the transfer pass that the driver handed
to the child as he or she boarded the bus
and gluing it to the cover would be a
more meaningful reminder of the trip.
Sighted children can easily identify
the location of the text on the page, so
its placement is not critical. The young
reader who is blind is helped if the text
can be found at a predictable location
on the page. The Braille text should be
created on heavy Braille paper in one
continuous line. Words should not be
cut apart and placed on the page as single units or phrases. The page of text
should not be pasted to the page, since
the adhesive can reduce the sharpness
of the Braille dots. We recommend stapling the text to the page, using
Brailleables®, or gluing only the edges
and corners of the page on which the
text is Brailled. Note: For many young
children with visual impairments, the
decision regarding use of Braille or print
for instruction has not been made.
Therefore, it makes sense to include
high-quality print versions of the text as
well. The print can be created with a
word processor on the page before the
Braille is affixed. Even for children who
are blind, print included on the page
will help parents, peers, and others
share in reading the story.
Determination of whether the Braille
text should be created in alphabetic
Braille (where the Braille matches the
print exactly) or in Grade II Braille (the
format of Braille used in commercially
published materials, including schoolbooks) is based on many factors. The
parents, early interventionist, and
teacher of students with visual impairments, if one has been assigned, should
make this decision jointly.
Books published for young children
with vision feature text that is simple
and often repetitive. This repetition
helps the emerging reader to memorize
the text, so that attention can be placed
on correspondence between the text
and spoken words. This same practice
can be used in tactile experience books
published for children with visual
impairments. Though it is tempting to
write long descriptive passages, young
children benefit when there are few
words on the page. They also benefit
when phrases are repeated, such as “In
my bathroom, there is a _____,” or
“When we fixed the doorknob, we used
____.”
Mary’s Tactile Experience Book
Mary, who is totally deaf and blind, is in
kindergarten in her local school district.
A team of educators, including the second author, Joan, who is an orientation
and mobility (O&M) specialist, provide
support services to Mary. O&M specialists generally work on development of
skills associated with travel, including
use of the cane, body image, spatial concepts, sensory perception, and environmental-recognition skills. Joan decided
that an “experience book” would be an
ideal vehicle for reinforcing concepts of
travel with Mary and approached the
speech-language pathologist serving this
student about working together on the
project.
The two adults met with Mary and
her interpreter in the school’s courtyard
garden and explored the area, which
included flowers, trees, a gazebo, and
even rabbits. Since Mary was unfamiliar
with any garden, questions such as
“What do you think might be in a garden?” were not helpful. Therefore, the
adults asked Mary to move around the
garden and look for items to the left or
right, on the ground, or up high. As they
explored, they discovered various natural items that were appropriate for an
experience book; Mary picked these up
and placed them in a large bag.
Joan then prepared the simple lines
of the story in Braille and print. During
their next meeting, Mary assisted Joan
in the assembly of the book. The
process went slowly as Mary explored
each garden item, used sign language to
identify it, and helped position it on the
page. Mary affixed the items with tape;
later, Joan prepared more permanent
mountings. Joan arranged short Braille
sentences at the bottom of each page.
The last page was left for Mary and Joan
to work on together (see box, “My
Garden Walk” by Mary). Mary not only
chose the words for this page, but also
assisted in writing the sentences on the
Braillewriter.
At first, the book was kept in a
resource room and left on a bookshelf
so that Mary could easily retrieve it
independently. Mary loved her book
and read and explored the pages often,
fingering the artifacts. Later, the general
education classroom teacher asked to
keep the book in her classroom, so that
Mary could read it during the class’s
independent reading time. Not surprisingly, the other kindergarten students
also found the tactile experience book
to be interesting; and they enjoyed sharing reading time with Mary and her
book. The classroom teacher soon
requested more books. Peers and adults
have been encouraged to read the books
aloud only when Mary is moving one
Tactile experience books can
improve children’s motor skills,
social skills, and life skills.
TEACHING EXCEPTIONAL CHILDREN
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”My Garden Walk” by Mary
Title cover: “My Garden Walk” by Mary: Glued to the
center of the cover page were several pebbles from the
path on which Mary had walked.
Page 2:
Page 3:
Page 4:
Page 5:
Page 6:
Page 7:
Page 1: Brailled sentence at the bottom of the page
read. “I went for a walk in the school garden. I found
1 piece of tree bark.” Glued to the center of the page
was a large piece of tree bark.
Brailled sentence “On the ground were 3 stones. Count them with me.”
3 stones, one small, medium, and large, were glued onto this page.
Braille sentence, “I have 4 limbs from a tree.” Arranged in increasing size
were 4 limbs from various trees.
Brailled sentence, “I picked 3 leaves, one large, one medium, and one
small.” In descending size, three different leaves were glued onto the center of the page.
Brailled sentence, “I petted one bunny rabbit.” In a plastic Zip-lock bag
glued to the center of the page was bunny fur found on the ground near
the bunny’s cage.
Brailled sentence, “I picked a flower.” One flower from a bush was
attached to the center of the page.
Brailled sentence, “I had fun walking with Ms. Joan.” Stapled to this page
was the elastic from the handle of a discarded cane like the one used by
Mary.
hand across the Braille while her interpreter signs the words into her other
hand.
Other Tactile Experience Books
Peers have also been involved in the
tactile experience books enjoyed by
other students on Joan’s caseload. One
of the favorites is a book titled, “Things
for My Hair” (see box). This book consists of 10 pages with large items
attached with Velcro for easy removal
and replacement and small items placed
in Zip-lock bags. Even though the young
students with visual impairments did
not participate in making this book,
they have enjoyed putting bobby pins,
bows, clips, and scrunchies in their own
hair, as well as into the hair of their
peers and teachers.
Another creative teacher, Alysa
Crooke of Pensacola, Florida, also used
a hair theme to describe a field trip
taken by one of her students to a local
beauty parlor (see box, “Chloe’s
Makeover”). The following are two
other books we have seen:
• My Bathroom—Repeated at the bottom of each page of this book is the
text, “In my bathroom there is….”
The artifacts included were soap,
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toothbrush, dental floss, trial size
toothpaste, Q-tips, comb, ponytail
holder, and a small piece of washcloth.
• Things in Mommy’s Purse—This book
was stored in a large straw purse. It
consisted of 7 pages, and all items
were removable for easy exploration
and manipulation. Objects included
compact case, comb, small spiral
notepad, credit card, pen, lipstick, and
Velcro-closed wallet in which coins
and a dollar bill had been placed. The
text on each page read, “I looked in
Mommy’s purse and found….“
Benefits
Tactile experience books offer a host of
benefits to students with visual impairments. Because they describe personal
experiences, children request that they
be read, memorize their content with
ease, and are eager to pretend to read
them aloud to listening adults. Early
book skills are mastered, graphemephoneme connections are initiated, and
the pleasure of reading with adults and
peers is reinforced.
Tactile experience books also can be
used to present children with visual
impairments opportunities to practice
other important skills, including those
in the motor domain. One 2-year-old
who is totally blind learned the difficult
skill of opening a paper bag and placing
an item in it on a windy day. Almost all
of the young students with whom we
have used tactile experience books have
learned how to open and close Zip-lock
bags, skills to which they previously
had not been introduced. For many others, further fine motor practice has been
Things for My Hair
Title Cover: “Things for My Hair” A hairbrush was
attached to cover with Velcro.
Page 2:
Page 3:
Page 4:
Page 5:
Page 6:
Page 7:
Page 8:
Page 1: “Shampoo to clean my hair. Conditioner to
make it soft.” Small travel-size containers filled with
a little shampoo/conditioner attached at the center of
the page with Velcro.
“A brush and combs for my hair.” Two combs and one small brush were
attached to the page with Velcro. A large brush was attached to a string
and hung outside of the book.
“Hair rollers to help curl my hair.” Various sizes and makes of rollers
were placed into a small plastic bag. The bag was fastened at the top of
the page with Velcro.
“Large and small barrettes hold my hair in place.” Various sizes and
types of barrettes were placed in a bag, and the bag was fastened at the
top of the page with Velcro.
“Bobby pins hold my hair in place.” Large, small, and medium-size
bobby pins were placed in a bag that was attached to the page.
“Ponytail holders keep my hair in a ponytail.” Same as pages 4 and 5.
“Clincher combs keep my hair back.” Same as pages 4 and 5.
“Headbands keep my hair out of my face.” Same as pages 4 and 5.
Chloe’s Makeover
Ms. Margaret called Chloe and said,
“Please come over,
I have time today to give you a
makeover.”
Chloe was excited. She started to
squirm.
She had to wait on a lady getting a
perm.
“Let’s use a comb to comb your
hair nice.
Let’s use a pick. We’ll comb your
hair twice.”
Ms. Margaret said, “I know. Let’s
give your hair curls.
This hairstyle looks wonderful on
little girls.”
“Which barrettes would you like to
wear?
You have good taste. They look
great in your hair.”
Next, Chloe got her nails painted
and filed.
Ms. Margaret said, “Beautiful.”
Chloe just smiled.
Chloe was good, so she got a
treat . . .
A butter rum sucker, she was happy
to eat.
Ms. Margaret said, “You’re done.
It’s time to pay.”
“Thank you, Ms. Margaret. I had
such fun today.”
provided in removing items from strong
Velcro, from fastening barrettes in the
hair of their friends, and from turning
open the cap on a tube of toothpaste.
Although seemingly very rudimentary,
these are exactly the kinds of skills that
adults assume young children with
visual impairments are learning, and
are surprised that they do not have
when they enter school.
Similarly, tactile experience books
can be used to reinforce spatial, temporal, and number concepts. They can
facilitate meaningful expansion of lan-
guage, social skills, and tactual perception.
As we described the creation and use
of tactile experience books to parents of
children with significant visual impairments, we found that many parents are
surprised to think that their children
might be unfamiliar with common items
found in their home, how these items
are used, and how they compare with
one another. We have used these discussions as opportunities to help parents better understand the impact of
visual impairment on development and
learning, and consequently, to appreciate the critical importance of actively
involving children in the simple events
that occur around them.
Cautions
Although tactile experience books seem
simple to make, their creation requires
both time and careful planning, especially if the child is involved in the collection of the artifacts and the making of
the book. Breaking the task into several
components is recommended to maintain the interest of the young child.
The parents and general education
teachers who have worked with us have
not been enthusiastic about including
artifacts that can cause a mess, such as
shampoo, toothpaste, or lipstick.
Although we tend to favor these kinds
of artifacts because students with visual
impairments have such few opportunities to experience them in other contexts, we recognize the potential problem. In the purse story described previously, it was decided to substitute clear
lip-gloss for the lipstick after a teacher
complained of the messy students.
Putting only small portions of liquid in
containers is one solution to the problem, so that any spill that is created is
small enough to easily clean (by the student, we would hope).
In tactile experience books,
artifacts from an event
experienced by the child are
actually incorporated onto the
pages of a simple, sturdy book.
Finally, the objects included in books
for very young readers must not present
a choking hazard should they be put in
the child’s mouth. For infants and very
young children, adult supervision when
independently reading some tactile
experience books may be necessary.
Final Thoughts
Tactile experience books can support
the emergent literacy development of
young children with visual impairments
in a variety of ways. When tactile experience books are made available to early
readers, these students practice
• Turning pages.
• Orienting books.
• Exploring objects.
• Using the hand movements associated
with Braille.
• Experiencing independent pleasure
reading.
At the same time, these children
have the opportunity to see the connection between words that describe the
activities in which they engage and the
stories that they read—a key prerequisite for reading. They also gain experiences with writing and the symbols of
the written language that they will be
using in school.
We have also seen how tactile experience books support the social inclusion of preschool children with visual
impairments in their general education
classrooms. Children with visual
impairments have meaningful stories
from which to choose during reading
time, and can share these stories with
others, both as a competent “reader”
and as a listener.
Lamb (1995) observed that students
with visual impairment do not experience the same immersion in literature
that children with vision do. Swenson
(1999) agreed, noting that “because of
the scarcity of Braille materials, children
who are blind or have very low
vision…do not automatically participate
in…[early] literacy learning. Instead,
their ‘Braille immersion’ must be deliberately orchestrated by teachers and
parents” (p. 11). The addition of tactile
experience books to the bookshelves of
young children with visual impairments
is an important “instrument” of that
orchestration.
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References
Anderson, R. D, Hiebert, E. H., Scott, J. A., &
Wilkinson, I. A. (1985). Becoming a
nation of readers: The report of the
Commission on Reading. Washington, DC:
National Academy of Education, National
Institute of Education.
Clay, M. M. (1991). Becoming literate: The
construction of inner control. Birkenhead,
Auckland, New Zealand: Heinemann
Education.*
Ferrell, K. A. (1997). Preface. What is it that
is different about a child with blindness or
visual impairment? In P. Crane, D.
Cuthbertson, K. A. Kerrell, & H. Scherb
(Eds.), Equals in partnership. Basic rights
for families of children with blindness or
visual impairment (pp. v-vii). Watertown,
MA: Perkins School for the Blind and the
National Association for Parents of the
Visually Impaired.
Ferrell, K. A. (2000). Growth and development of young children. In M. C. Holbrook
& A. J. Koenig (Eds.), Foundations of education (2nd ed.). Volume 1: History and
theory of teaching children and youths
with visual impairments (pp. 111-134).
New York: AFB Press.
Finello, K. M., Hanson, N. H., & Kekelis, L. S.
(1992). Cognitive focus: Developing cognition, concepts, and language in young
blind and visually impaired children. In R.
L. Pogrund, D. L. Fazzi, & J. S. Lampert
(Eds.), Early focus: Working with young
blind and visually impaired children and
their families (pp. 34-49). New York:
American Foundation for the Blind.*
Handel, R. D. (1999). Building family literacy in an urban community. New York:
New York Teachers College Press.
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Harley, R. K., Truan, M. B., & Sanford, L. D.
(1997). Communication skills for visually
impaired learners: Braille, print, and listening skills for students who are visually
impaired (2nd ed.). Springfield, IL:
Charles C Thomas.
Koenig, A. J., & Farrenkopf, C. (1997).
Essential experience to undergird the early
development of literacy. Journal of Visual
Impairment and Blindness, 91(1), 14-24.
Lamb, G. (1995). Fingerprints: A whole language approach to Braille literacy.
Manurewa, Auckland, NZ: Homal Vision
Education Centre.
Miller, D. D. (1985). Reading comes naturally: A mother and her blind child’s experiences. Journal of Visual Impairment and
Blindness, 79(1), 1-4.
Newbold, S. (2000). Emergent literacy for
young blind children. Phoenix, AZ: FBC
Publications.
Purcell-Gates, V. (2000). Family literacy. In
M. L. Kamil, P. B. Mosenthal, P. D.
Pearson, & R. Barr (Eds.), Handbook of
reading research, Volume III (pp. 853-870).
Mahwah, NJ: Lawrence Erlbaum.
Rex, E. J., Koenig, A. J., Wormsley, D. P., &
Baker, R. L. (1994). Foundations of Braille
literacy. New York: AFB Press.
Sawyer, W. E., & Comer, D. E. (1996).
Growing up with literature. Albany, NY:
Delmar.
Snow, C. F., Burns, M. S., & Griffin, P. (Eds.).
(1998). Preventing reading difficulties in
young children. Washington, DC: National
Academy Press.
Stratton, J. M., & Wright, S. (1991). On the
way to literacy: Early experiences for visually impaired children. Louisville, KY:
American Printing House for the Blind.
Swenson, A. M. (1999). Beginning with
Braille: Firsthand experiences with a balanced approach to literacy. New York: AFB
Press.
Wormsley, D. P. (1997). Fostering emergent
literacy. In D. P. Wormsley & F. M.
D’Andrea (Eds.), Instructional strategies
for Braille literacy (pp.17-55). New York:
AFB Press.
*To order the book marked by an asterisk (*),
please call 24 hrs/365 days: 1800-BOOKS-NOW
(266-5766) or (732) 728-1040; or visit them on
the Web at http://www.clicksmart.com/
teaching/. Use VISA, M/C, AMEX, or Discover
or send check or money order + $4.95 S&H
($2.50 each add’l item) to: Clicksmart, 400
Morris Avenue, Long Branch, NJ 07740; (732)
728-1040 or FAX (732) 728-7080.
Sandra Lewis (CEC Chapter #311), Associate
Professor and Coordinator, Program in Visual
Impairment, College of Education, Florida
State University, Tallahassee. Joan Tolla,
Orientation and Mobility Specialist, Tift and
Irwin County Schools, Georgia.
Address correspondence to Sandra Lewis,
Associate Professor, Department of Special
Education and Rehabilitation Counseling
Services, Florida State University, 205 Stone
Building, Tallahassee, FL 32306-4459 (e-mail:
[email protected]).
TEACHING Exceptional Children, Vol. 35,
No. 3, pp. 22-28.
Copyright 2003 CEC.
Ideas to Promote Braille Awareness
and Literacy
Children need to be exposed to braille in a functional and fun way. Here are
just a few ideas…
¾
¾
¾
¾
¾
¾
¾
¾
¾
¾
¾
Parents and teachers should share what they are writing (e.g., grocery
list, note home) and read aloud as they do so. Let children know how and
why you use print (or braille).
Provide the child with lots of activities to use the hands and build tactile
awareness and strength (e.g., play dough, shaving cream, opening jar
lids, playing a keyboard).
Braille notes for the child and “hide” in lunchbox, desk, etc. for the child to
find and “read” (include print on the note so the child can get assistance
in “reading” the note).
Provide braille writer and a slate and stylus for the child to experiment
with and write notes with. Don’t worry about mechanics or true
reading…these will come later.
Point out braille in the community (e.g., elevators, signs) and ask for
braille menus in restaurants (When appropriate, have the child do the
asking!).
Label things that are important to the child (e.g., cubby in classroom,
book covers, food containers).
Make experience books with the child using activities and materials that
are meaningful to him/her (e.g., bath time, trip to Grandma’s, going to
the park).
Make sure the child has access to books – place on a low shelf. Label
books for the child so he/she can identify the book sought.
Make story boxes for favorite commercial books (a box or bag of materials
that correspond to the story) and spend time sharing the materials as you
read the book to the child.
Take the child to the public library for “story hour”. Many libraries use a
variety of hands-on materials during story hour and most librarians are
glad to work with parents to meet the challenge of a tactile learner!
Use the plastic sheets that come with bacon to write braille on for books.
L. Penny Rosenblum, Ph.D., June 18, 2005, Western Regional Early Intervention Conference
Beginning Braille Competencies
The following competencies do not have to be accomplished before
kindergarten. Each child is unique in his development and readiness level.
Literacy skills will progress according to a child’s language development,
concept formation, interest-motivation, and fine motor discrimination
abilities. The braille reading/writing skills that he or she learns will provide
the added exposure that many sighted children possess upon entering
kindergarten. More specifically, the young student will have the opportunity
to use braille-producing tools and begin processing the complexities of the
braille code prior to kindergarten.
The following competencies are not in sequential order. A certified teacher
of students with visual impairments will determine the sequence and
combination of instructional skills necessary for each student’s optimal
progress.
1. Tracks smoothly across three to eight lines of double spaced braille.
2. Finds beginning and end of a braille line.
3. Locates long and short horizontal and vertical braille lines.
4. Locates braille symbol that is different in a line of braille.
5. Locates braille symbol that is the same in a line of braille.
6. Discriminates two braille symbols to determine if they are the same or
different.
7. Matches and sorts braille symbols (letters, numbers, whole word
contractions).
8. Demonstrates organization of braille cell using a variety of materials (golf
balls, marbles, pegs.)
a. Copying six piece configuration
b. Copying by demonstrating “dot” system
9. Transfers skill #8 to the six keys on the braille writer.
10. Pushes each key separately and in combination with other keys.
11. Reads and writes numbers 0 – 10 in braille using number sign.
12. Reads and writes some letters of the alphabet in braille.
L. Penny Rosenblum, Ph.D., June 18, 2005, Western Regional Early Intervention Conference
Beginning Braille Competencies, continued
13 Reads and writes simple whole word contractions (go, like).
14. Reads and writes first and last name.
15. Discriminates own name from other dissimilar names in braille.
16. Attempts to “read” or follow along when an adult reads a print/braille
book.
17. Inserts and removes paper in braille writer.
18. Locates all parts of the braille writer when named.
19. Demonstrates use of all parts of braille writer when asked.
20. Locates, removes and replaces push pin in cork board to complete
teacher directed task.
a. Uses pencil/crayon to mark correct response.
21. Moves beads on abacus for counting purposes.
22. Dictates and co-actively writes simple language experience phrases for
developing a book or weekly news notes.
23. Rhymes words for building simple word families.
24. Sorts tactual objects according to their beginning sounds.
25. Begins Patterns pre-primer.
26. Begins Mangold program.
27. “Scribble writes” using a slate and stylus.
28. Exposed to technology.
Newbold, S. (2000). Emergent literacy for young blind children.
Phoenix, AZ: Foundation for Blind Children, pp. 43-46.
L. Penny Rosenblum, Ph.D., June 18, 2005, Western Regional Early Intervention Conference
Early Intervention
Training Center
for Infants and Toddlers With
Visual Impairments
Module:
Communication and Emergent Literacy:
Early Intervention Issues
Session 5: Interventions to Facilitate
Emergent Literacy
Handout B: Emergent Literacy Skills for Future Braille Readers
This handout is adapted from the Braille Readiness Skills Grid (McComiskey, 1996). It
is not essential for young children to obtain all of these skills in order to become
successful braille readers and writers. However, these are skills that may make learning
to read and write braille easier. Skills should not be taught in isolation, but within natural
learning opportunities found in children’s daily routines.
Tactile
• Tolerates being touched
• Examines objects by touch
• Matches and sorts objects
• Touches braille in exploration
• Matches graduation of sandpaper, etc.
• Locates tactile “mark” on paper
• Uses pad of index finger to touch
• Traces 2-dimensional outline of shape
• Traces 3-dimensional outline of shape
Fine motor
• Holds object in both hands
• Uses pincer grasp
• Opens and closes books
• Turns cardboard pages
• Uses two hands cooperatively
• Uses appropriate grasp with stylus
• Makes stylus art with construction paper
• Turns pages one at a time
• Scribbles on braillewriter or with slate and stylus
Listening and attention
• Alerts to sounds
• Listens to verbal interactions and songs
• Sits socially with adult 5-10 minutes
• Listens to and enjoys rhymes
CEL Module 02/17/04
EIVI-FPG Child Development Institute
UNC-CH
S5 Handout B
Page 1 of 2
Early Intervention
Training Center
for Infants and Toddlers With
Visual Impairments
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Participates in finger plays and songs
Follows two-step directions
Matches sound cans
Shows interest in short stories about self
Shows interest in short stories about others, with participation
Shows interest in stories about others, without participation
Uses jargon and imitation on phone
Tells simple events (ideas )
Makes up simple stories
Listens to simple story tapes
Concept
• Identifies body parts
• Names body parts
• Identifies objects and actions
• Names objects and actions
• Understands object permanence concept
• Searches for dropped objects
• Shows same and different concept awareness
• Plays symbolically
Book and story
• Uses books as toys (speak, pull, etc.)
• Identifies parts of a book (cover, pages, margin, etc.)
• Holds book and turns pages
• Explores tactile books using pad of fingers
• Purposefully traces marks in tactile book from start to end
• Participates in “object book” story
• Has daily twin-vision book lap time
McComiskey, A.V. (1996). The braille readiness skills grid: A guide to building a
foundation for literacy. Journal of Visual Impairment & Blindness, 90(3), 190-193.
CEL Module 02/17/04
EIVI-FPG Child Development Institute
UNC-CH
S5 Handout B
Page 2 of 2
Early Intervention
Training Center
for Infants and Toddlers With
Visual Impairments
Module:
Communication and Emergent Literacy:
Early Intervention Issues
Session 5: Interventions to Facilitate
Emergent Literacy
HANDOUT C: Object Books
From www.tsbvi.edu
Before tactile learners are required to track lines or read dots, which may seem
meaningless to them, they may benefit from "reading" books containing interesting
objects.
What is an object book?
An object book is a book containing real objects. These objects should be taken from
the student's activities and experiences so that they are meaningful. This is the first type
of book that should be used to introduce tactile learners into the wonderful world of
reading. Children will need countless opportunities to read a wide variety of object
books before moving on to the more abstract levels of parts of objects, tactile symbols,
and/or braille.
How do I create an object book?
The activity is much more effective when the child participates in making the books.
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Use a three-ring binder. Three-ring binders are preferable for several reasons—
study pages such as posterboard or cardboard can be used, binders expand to fit
the objects, the pages can be rearranged in a different order or used to create a
different book.
Collect items from the child's activities and experiences.
Glue only one object per page at first—more can be added as the child's skills
increase. A hot glue gun works best for attaching objects.
Some of the object books will not last long due to the type of objects used.
Therefore, don't spend a lot of time on the appearance of the book.
Remember that these books are for tactual learners and don't necessarily need
to be visually appealing. A one-word braille label can be added to each page to
increase the child’s exposure to braille.
Put an object cue on the front of the book to serve as a title for children so that
they can choose the book they want to read.
CEL Module 02/17/04
EIVI-FPG Child Development Institute
UNC-CH
S5 Handout C
Page 1 of 3
Early Intervention
Training Center
for Infants and Toddlers With
Visual Impairments
Additional ideas to use as the child’s skills develop
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Glue envelopes or baggies to the pages and hide items inside for the child to
find.
Create collections of objects in a single category, such as kitchen utensils.
When books become meaningful to the child, alphabet books and counting books
can be created.
In addition to objects from the child's activities, you could use:
crayons
socks
money
napkins
small balls
toothbrushes
toys
string
flowers
combs
cotton balls
keys
hair clips
gloves
spoons
candy
brushes
paper clips
straws
rubber bands
ribbon
scissors
candles
soap
jewelry
Cheerios
cassettes
beads
Suggested ideas for object books
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Sensory walk: rocks, sticks, flowers, grass, leaves, bark, shells, gravel
Making pudding: pudding box, wooden spoon, milk carton, paper towel
Making trail mix: baggie, peanuts, raisin box, raisin, chocolate chips, dried fruit
chips
Trip to McDonalds: french fry box, hamburger wrapper, ketchup packet, drink lid,
straw, napkin
Bath routine: sliver of soap, washcloth, travel-size shampoo, lotion, bath toy, QTips, cotton balls, comb
Spoon book: wooden cooking spoon, plastic cooking spoon, slotted spoon,
plastic coated spoon for cooking in Teflon pans, metal spoon, grapefruit spoon,
teaspoon, stirring spoon, tablespoon, measuring spoons, disposable plastic
spoon, baby spoon
Candy book: M&M, chocolate kisses, gummy bears, licorice, Tootsie Rolls,
suckers, peppermints
Concept book: same and different, in and out, big and little objects
What does the student learn by reading these books?
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Reading can be fun and interesting.
What I touch is meaningful.
Objects represent an activity that I have done or will do.
I can share what I did at school with my family, and activities I did at home with
teachers and friends at school.
I can find the front and back of my book.
CEL Module 02/17/04
EIVI-FPG Child Development Institute
UNC-CH
S5 Handout C
Page 2 of 3
Early Intervention
Training Center
for Infants and Toddlers With
Visual Impairments
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I can turn pages in my book.
I can find out and explore what is on each page with my fingers.
I can search the page to find the object, whether it is at the top, at the bottom, in
the middle, on the left, or on the right.
I can recall the sequence of events or steps of an activity.
I can learn left-to-right sequence.
I can "read" rows of objects.
I can "read" my stories to others.
I can have books—just like everyone else!
Next steps
Object exploration is the crucial first step is the development of the tactile discrimination
skills that tactile learners will need. After achieving success with a wide variety of object
books, teachers may begin to add more abstract components to the books. These might
include parts of objects, tactile symbols, abstract representations (such as
thermoformed pages of real objects, etc.) and braille content. Students may now be
ready for tactile discrimination books and worksheets such as Mangold's Program,
Tactile Treasures, and On the Road to Literacy.
Smith, M., Shafer, S., & Sewell, D. (July 30, 2002). Object books. Retrieved February 6,
2004, from http://www.tsbvi.edu/Education/vmi/objectbook.htm.
CEL Module 02/17/04
EIVI-FPG Child Development Institute
UNC-CH
S5 Handout C
Page 3 of 3
BRAILLE ALPHABET
Directions, place a piece of masking tape above
each brailler key. Put a different color on each
piece. Color the alphabet below to correspond
to the colors on the brailler. Sighted children
can then braille their names or other words
using this color key.
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L. Penny Rosenblum, Ph.D., June 18, 2005, Western Regional Early Intervention Conference
BRAILLE ALPHABET
Directions, place a piece of masking tape above each brailler key. Put a
different color on each piece. Color the alphabet below to correspond to the
colors on the brailler. Sighted children can then braille their names or other
words using this color key.
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4 5 6
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b
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f
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L. Penny Rosenblum, Ph.D., June 18, 2005, Western Regional Early Intervention Conference
Learn beginning braille! Find out Who’s Who!
Read stories about braille readers!
Fun and games for your entire family!
Dots for Families:
Ongoing Literacy for Families of Children
with Visual Impairments
Visit us online at
http://uacoe.arizona.edu/viliteracy/
Learn beginning braille! Find out Who’s Who! Read
stories about braille readers!
Fun and games for your entire family!
Dots for Families:
Ongoing Literacy for Families of Children
with Visual Impairments
Visit us online at
http://uacoe.arizona.edu/viliteracy/
Resource List for Early Braille Literacy Materials
Assessment / Curriculum:
Koenig, A. J. & Farrenkopf, C. (1995). Assessment of Braille Literacy Skills.
Houston, TX: Region IV Education Service Center.
The ABLS has 3 assessment checklists including emergent literacy, academic
literacy and functional literacy.
Overbrook School for the Blind. (2000). Braille Literacy Curriculum.
Philadelphia: Towers Press.
This book combines information on assessment and instruction for children
of varying ages and abilities. It has many useful suggestions for working
with children in the emergent literacy stage.
Region IV Education Service Center. (2003). Braille Requisite Skills
Inventory. Houston, TX: Author.
This assessment is used to determine if braille is an appropriate medium. It
contains a skills checklist and instructional activities that allow for more indepth assessment. Areas assessed include cognition and fine motor/tactual
skills. The assessment is appropriate for preschoolers.
Books:
Collins, S. H. & Schneider. (1998). Braille for the Sighted. Eugene, OR:
Garlic Press.
This is a short book designed for sighted elementary age students. It
teaches the basics of braille with some fun activities.
Cucco, L. (1997). The bridge to braille: reading and school success for the
young blind child. Baltimore: National Organization of Parents of Blind
Children.
Families are provided an introduction to braille along with information on
how their child will learn braille and use it in school.
L. Penny Rosenblum, Ph.D., June 18, 2005, Western Regional Early Intervention Conference
Newbold, S. (2000). Emergent literacy for young blind children. Phoenix, AZ:
Foundation for Blind Children.
This book contains suggestions for families, a pre-braille readiness checklist,
story box ideas, and resources.
Swenson, A. (1999). Beginning with braille: Firsthand experiences with a
balanced approach to literacy. New York: AFB Press.
This is a must have resource if you are teaching braille to preschool or early
school age students. It has a wealth of information and many practical ideas.
Wormsley, D. P. & D’Andrea, F. M. (1997). Instructional strategies for braille
literacy. New York: AFB Press.
This is a comprehensive book that examines many aspects of developing
braille literacy. Information on teaching young braille readers is provided.
Book Chapters;
Koenig, A. J. (1996). Growing into literacy. In M. C. Holbrook (Ed.). Children
with visual impairments: A parents’ guide (pp. 227-255). Bethesda,
MD: Woodbine House.
This chapter comes from an excellent book to share with families of visually
impaired young children. Information about literacy options for low vision
and blind children is presented along with many practical strategies families
can use at home and in the community.
Koenig, A. J. & Holbrook, M. C. (2002). Literacy Focus: Developing skills and
motivation for reading and writing. In R. L. Pogrund & D. L. Fazzi
(Eds.). Early focus: Working with young children who are blind or
visually impaired and their families (2nd ed., pp. 154-187). New York:
AFB Press.
This chapter comes from an excellent resource for professionals in the vision
or early intervention fields. The authors present an overview of early
literacy and many specific suggestions for fostering the development of
reading and writing skills for both children who are blind and those who have
low vision.
L. Penny Rosenblum, Ph.D., June 18, 2005, Western Regional Early Intervention Conference
Videos:
Elizabeth’s Story (American Printing House for the Blind,
http://www.aph.org)
This family oriented video shows how Elizabeth, who is blind, develops
literacy skills through infancy, preschool and into early elementary school.
Power at Your Fingertips: An Introduction to Learning Braille, (VIPS,
http://www.vips.org/)
Families are introduced to braille and see a variety of young children using
braille. A notebook that has information about braille accompanies the video
along with a slate and stylus. VIPS produces a series of videos appropriate
for families of young children with visual impairments.
Understanding Braille Literacy (American Foundation for the Blind,
http://www.afb.org)
This video provides an overview of the braille code, early literacy
development, along with literacy across the life span.
Learning Braille:
Just Enough to Know Better from National Braille Press
(http://www.nbp.org)
This book teaches the basics of braille through short lessons.
Companies:
American Printing House for the Blind
http://www.aph.org
On the Road to Literacy books, Elizabeth’s Story video, braille writers, slate
and styli, teaching aids, paper etc. Materials available on federal quota.
L. Penny Rosenblum, Ph.D., June 18, 2005, Western Regional Early Intervention Conference
Exceptional Teaching Aids http://www.exceptionalteaching.com/
Producers of the Mangold Developmental Program of Tactile Perception and
Braille and Braille Letter Recognition (also a number version) along with a
variety of teaching aids and materials for tactile markings (e.g., Wikki Stiks).
National Braille Press http://www.nbp.org/
Books for both children and adults are available. A free book (available in
both English and Spanish) called Because Books Matter is a resource to
share with families. The Read Books Program provides families a tote bag
that contains a braille book for their child, Because Books Matter, Just
Enough to Know Better and other “goodies.” These bags are free to families.
Seedlings Braille Books for Children http://www.seedlings.org/
Low-cost braille books for children beginning in infancy are provided by
Seedlings. Popular titles are available that appeal to children and their
families.
L. Penny Rosenblum, Ph.D., June 18, 2005, Western Regional Early Intervention Conference
Online Resources and
Professional Development
Webcasts
On-demand webcasts are presented by experts in the field of
visual impairment and deafblindness. Whether your focus is
professional or personal, you will find topics of interest,
including social skills, assistive technology, and independent
living skills. For more information go to:
www.perkins.org/resources/webcasts
Webinars
Broadcast live and for free, on an easy to use web conferencing
platform. Ask questions and learn from experts in the field
of visual impairment and deafblindness. If you miss the live
broadcast, no problem! Streaming video will be ready to view
any time within a few days of its original airing at:
www.perkins.org/resources/webinars
Paths to Literacy
A new website with interactive resources to assist educators
and families in providing literacy experiences for children
who are blind or visually impaired. Information includes an
overview of literacy, ideas for children at various stages of
development, and an exploration of different media: print,
braille, and auditory strategies. For more information go to:
www.pathstoliteracy.org
Earn Professional Development Credits Today
Now you can earn continuing education credits (ACVREP, PDP’s, etc.) simply by completing our Web tutorials.
View a webcast or webinar at your own convenience, complete the test and print your certificate.
For more information: www.perkins.org/credits
Post a strategy to Paths to Literacy and earn two continuing education credits!
For more information: www.pathstoliteracy.org/strategies
More Educational Resources
Perkins Training Center
Resource for vision educators to find the extra tools they need for
students. Customized in-service training, workshops, and special
programs are designed to address the individual needs of educators in
multiple settings.
www.perkins.org/resources/training-conferences
Scout
Information Clearinghouse on Blindness and Visual Impairment with a
searchable list of carefully evaluated resources related to blindness and
visual impairment. The range of topics includes general information on
blindness, help for families with relatives who are visually impaired, and
resources for educators and other professionals.
www.perkins.org/resources/scout
WonderBaby.org
Our site supports parents of children who are blind, as well as children
with multiple disabilities. Read articles written by parents who want to
share what they’ve learned about raising a child who is blind and find
ways to connect with other families.
www.wonderbaby.org
Educator Series
Monthly e-newsletter and online archive of advice, activities, curriculum,
webcasts and other information for teachers of the visually impaired
(TVIs). Recurring columns include Cindy’s Corner,
Ask the Expert, and About the Authors.
www.perkins.org/resources/educator-series
Archives
Portal for archival collections related to the history of the school,
blindness, the education of the blind and deafblind, institutional
archives, correspondence, digitized photographs and historic texts, and
Keller/Sullivan materials.
www.perkinsarchives.org
Perkins School for the Blind
175 North Beacon Street
Watertown, MA 02472
www.perkins.org
Betsy McGinnity
[email protected]
617-972-7519 phone
617-972-7271 fax